Hollow wall partition system



Oct.'31, 1967 G. J. BYSSING HOLLOW WALL PARTITION SYSTEM Filed March 15,1965 7 a2 4 1 5 2. Z .1 H r INVENTOR.

G EORGE J. B YSSING ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,349,529 HOLLOW WALLPARTITION SYSTEM George J. Byssing, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor toKaiser Gypsum Company, Inc., Oakland, Calif., a corporation ofWashington Filed Mar. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 439,732 7 Claims. (Cl. 52-241)This invention relates to wall structures. More particularly it isconcerned with a hollow demountable type wall structure wherein novelstud means are employed for assembling and anchoring groups of opposedand spaced wall board sections in place to form the said structure. Thiswall structure and the elements used therein also constituteimprovements over those shown in my copending application S.N. 324,105,filed Nov. 15, 1963, now Patent No. 3,320,710.

Accordingly, it is a primary purpose of this invention to provide anovel hollow demountable type wall structure which has a unique studelement incorporated therein to which various wall board sections makingup the opposed walls of the hollow wall structure are connected.

This and other purposes and advantages of the inst-ant invention willbecome more apparent from a review of the following detailed descriptionwhen taken in con-V junction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

'FIG. 1 is a cut away perspective view of an improved hollow wallstructure incorporating the unique stud element of the instantinvention;

FIG. 2 is a further enlarged fragmentary and perspective view of animproved wall structure incorporating the stud element of the instantinvention and discloses one arrangement for removably attaching oraflixing the stud element to a floor runner;

FIG. 3 is a broken and fragmentary sectional view generally taken alongthe line 33 of FIG. 1 and With parts added;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view generally taken along the line 44of FIG. 1 with parts added; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded view of a ceiling runner and anaccessory trim strip which can be used therewith in assembling the wallstructure of the invention.

With further reference to the drawings, and in particular FIG. 1, thehollow wall structure of the instant invention is generally comprised ofa plurality or groups 1 of wallboard sections or units and a pluralityof supporting stud elements 2. Each stud element 2 is channelshaped incross-section such that it is provided with parallel side flanges 4 anda web portion 6. Struck out of and preferably formed integrally with theweb portion 6 is one or more pairs of spaced tabs or flange elements 8.The length of these tab elements 8 is substantially less than theoverall length of the web portion 6 and the stud element 2. When aplurality of flange elements or tabs 8 are used they are located inpairs at various spaced points along the length of the Web with the tabsin one pair being aligned with similar tabs in another or other pairs oftabs. Any number of such pairs of tabs 8 can be used depending upon theresults desired.

Tabs 8 project from the web 6 in a direction which is diametricallyopposite to the direction of projection of the side flanges 4. Theseflange elements 8 can be advantageously located inwardly of the outersurfaces 4a of the side flanges 4 of the stud 2 by a distance whichapproximates the thickness of an inner ply of a laminated wallboard unitthat is affixed to the stud element in a manner to be described morefully hereinafter. This distance, for example, can be on the order ofthree-eighths of an inch. In a further advantageous embodiment of theinvention, flange elements 8 can be provided with inward 1y directed andconverging stiffening finger elements 9.

As indicated particularly in FIG. 2 a stud element 2 can be afiixed to achannel-shaped base or floor runner 10 by means of a channel-shapedfitting or shoe 11. The upper portion of this shoe 11 is adapted to bedisposed within and frictionally engage the inner surfaces of the flangeelements 8 of the stud with the finger elements 9 acting as shoe lockingelements while the lower portion of the shoe 11 fits snugly within thechannel-shaped floor runner 10 and engages the inner surfaces of theside elements or flanges 12 of the floor runner 10. It is to beunderstood of course that suitable anchoring elements (not shown) mayalso be used to lock the shoe 11 to the base runner 10 such as tabsstruck out of the base runner and engageable with the web and/or flangesof the shoe 11.

The stud element can be of such a length whereby the bottom of the stud2 rests on the tops of the sides 12 of the runner 10 with the lowerportion of web 6 projecting outwardly from the sides 12 of the floorrunner by a distance approximately equal to the thickness of the innerply of a laminated wallboard unit which is to be anchored to and alfixedto the stud element 2.

The stud element 2 is adapted to anchor in place the individualwallboard units 14 in a first series of wallboard units on one side ofthe stud element 2 and to hold the wallboard units in this first seriesof wallboard units 14 in spaced relationship with respect to a similarseries of wallboard units 14 on the opposing side of the stud element.Each of these wallboard units 14 can be made from a single piece ofsuitable wallboard material such as particle board, gypsum, plywood,etc. or as indicated in the drawings from a plurality of plies such asinner and outer plies 15 and 16 of such materials. These individualplies are adhesively secured or otherwise tied together in an offsetfashion so as to provide an overlap or shiplap portion 17 on the outerply 16 at one side edge of the unit 14 and similar overlap portion 17aon the inner ply 15 at the other side edge of the unit 14. A rabbetgroove or kerf 18, the purpose of which will be described more fullyhereinafter, is also located in the wallboard unit 14 adjacent theterminal side edge of the inner ply 15 associated with the overlap 17 ofthe outer ply 16.

In assembling the wallboard units on one side of the stud element 2 orthe wallboard units making up one series of units and with base runner10 and a top runner 20, to be described more fully hereinafter, all inplace, a first wallboard unit 14a as indicated in FIG. 1 is mounted upona stud 2 in such a fashion that the groove or kerf 18 of unit 14areceives and accommodates one of the side flanges 4 of the stud.Thereafter, a second wallboard unit 1411 is mounted upon the same stud 2in such a fashion that the shiplap portion 17a of unit 1415 is lodged orsandwiched between a tab 8 and shiplap portion 17 of the outer ply 16 ofthe unit 14a and with the inner surface x of the unit 14b engaging theouter surface y of the tab or flange element 8. At the same time theopposing free edges 19:: and 19b of the wallboard units 14a and 14b willbe in abutting side edge to side edge engagement with each other.

- After a series of wall units 14 are installed in the manner notedabove on one side of the stu-d elements 2 the second series of wallelements can be installed in a similar fashion on the other side of thestud elements. As indicated in FIG. -3 a simple double channel membersecured to a wall w or door frame can be used to anchor the endmostwallboard unit in a given series to the wall or door frame.

In the final hollow wall structure, it will be observed by reference toFIG. 4 that a suitable top runner or top channel 20 is used. Top channel20 is provided with a web 21 of a width corresponding to the spacingbetween flange elements 8 of a stud element 2 and sides 22. Runner 20 isnailed to the ceiling c by means of nails which project through theoutwardly projecting flanges 23 of this top runner 20. These top flanges23 are generally of a width corresponding to the overall thickness ofwallboard unit 14. The top of each stud element is cut away at 30 toreceive and mate with the ceiling channel 20.

In one advantageous embodiment of the invention an angle shaped trimstrip 24 can be inserted or sandwiched between the wall surface 25 andthe top surface of the flange element 23 of the runner Z0. Matingcontinuous bead 26 on flange 23 and continuous bead 27 on the trim stripmay be used to lock the trim strip to channel 20. In a furtheradvantageous embodiment of the invention, in lieu of having a continuousbead on the flange element 23, the flange element 23 may have a cut awayor struck out portion 33 provided with a bead 34. The horizontal flangeof the trim strip 24 is then adapted to be inserted between thestruck-out portion 33 and the undersurface of the main body portion offlange 23 with the beads 27 and 34 mating with each other in the mannerindicated in FIGS. 1 and 5.

As noted above, the flange elements 8 are disposed inwardly from or arespaced from the outer surfaces 4a of the side flanges 4 by a distancewhich is substantially equal to the thickness of the innermost ply of anoverall wallboard unit 14 in the case of where the wallboard unit ismade up of several plies. In the case of where the wallboard unit ismade from a single ply provided with a rabbet groove 18 and lappingportions 17 and 17a this distance is substantially equal to the distancebetween the outermost surface s of the rabbet groove and the insidesurface x of the unit. This same spacial relationship between a tab '8and its associated side flange 4 is likewise true of course in the caseof where wallboards of plural plies are anchored thereto. By virtue ofthe fact that the side flanges 4 and flange elements 8 project inopposite directions to each other while still being located in planeswhich are normal to the main plane of the web 6 of the stud 2 thewallboard units will fit in snug side edge to side edge abuttingrelationship while the inside surfaces of the units 14 are disposedflush with the outside surfaces of the flange elements 8 and with thewallboard units in a given series being interconnected in a lap jointarrangement.

From the above description it will be obvious that the stud elements 2are so formed that they will hold up the wallboards at one side of thehollow partition even before the wallboards for the other side of thepartition have been installed. This permits the ready installation ofwiring, heating ducts and piping within the wall structure prior to itscompletion. In this connection the outwardly projecting struck-outportions or tabs 8 which form openings 35 in the web 2 of a stud elementcan be advantageously used for passing wiring or piping through the wallin the event such is desired. From the above, it will be observed thatvarious component parts of the partition are so constructed thatinstallation thereof is a simple and easy operation.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosedand described.

It will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as definedin the appended claims, wherein what is claimed is:

1. A stud element and floor runner assembly for use in anchoringwallboard units together in a hollow wall structure, said assemblycomprising the combination of an elongated channel-shaped stud elementprovided with a web portion, a pair of parallel side flanges projectingfrom one side of said web portion and extending substantially in thesame direction and at least one pair of spaced flange elements offsetinwardly of the side flanges and of smaller length than said webportion, said flange elements projecting from said web portion in anopposite direction to each of the said side flanges; said flangeelements being arranged substantially normal to the plane of said webportion, while being formed integrally with said web portion and saidflange elements being adapted to be disposed flush against and betweenthe opposing inner surfaces of a pair of opposed and spaced wallboardunits when the said pair of units is brought into contact with the oneface of said web portion; and said side flanges being insertable ingrooves in a further pair of spaced and opposed wallboard units whensaid further pair of wallboard units is brought into contact with theother face of said web portion so as to hold said various opposed pairsof wallboard units in spaced relationship to each other; a walled floorrunner and a channel-shaped shoe arranged in interlocking engagementwith said flange elements and the walls of said floor runner formounting said stud element on and locking said stud element to saidfloor runner.

2. In a hollow wall structure the combination of a first series ofwallboard units and a second series of wallboard units disposed inspaced relationship to said first series of wallboard units, thewallboard units of each of said series being disposed in partial sideedge to side edge abutment and in overlapping relationship relative toeach other, one wallboard unit of each pair of abutting wallboard unitsin a series of units having a rabbet groove; a stud element anchored tothe said pair of wallboard units, said stud element comprising anelongated channel-shaped member provided with a web portion and meansfor anchoring said stud element to said pair of wallboard units, saidanchoring means comprising a pair of parallel side flanges extending insubstantially the same direction and one of which is disposed in therabbet groove of said one of said wallboard units in said pair of units,and said anchoring means further comprising at least one pair of spacedflange elements which project from and are of a smaller length than saidweb portion and said side flanges as well as being offset inwardly ofsaid side flanges; said flange elements being arranged substantiallynormal to the plane of said web portion and projecting from said webportion in an opposite direction to each of said side flanges and theoutside surface of the flange element associated with the side flangedisposed in said rabbet groove contacting and lying flush against theinside surface of the other wallboard unit in said pair of units at apoint spaced from the rabbet groove of the first mentioned unit of saidpair of units.

3. A hollow wall structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein said flangeelements on the stud element are provided with inwardly bent convergingfingers.

4. A hollow wall structure as set forth in claim 2 wherein the lastmentioned associated side flange and flange element are located inplanes which are spaced from each other by a distance substantiallyequal to the distance between the innermost surface of the said onewallboard unit and the outer surface of the rabbet groove thereof.

5. In a hollow wall structure the combination of a first series ofwallboard units disposed in partial side edge to side edge abutment andin overlapping relationship with each other and each of said individualunits being provided with a rabbet groove; a second series of wallboardunits disposed in partial side edge to side edge abutment and inoverlapping relationship with each other, said second series of unitsbeing located in spaced relationship to said first series of units andeach of the individual wallboard units of said second series of unitsalso being provided with a rabbet groove; and stud means disposedbetween and anchored to individual wallboard units of each series ofunits so as to hold each series of wallboard units in opposed and spacedrelationship to each other; said stud means comprising an elongatedchannel-shaped stud element provided with a web portion and means foranchoring said stud element to individual units of said first and secondseries of units, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of parallelside flanges on the stud element which project in substantially the samedirection and are inserted in the rabbet grooves of opposed and spacedwallboard units in said first and second series of wallboard units so asto be interlocked therewith; and said last mentioned means furthercomprising at least one pair of parallel spaced flange elements offsetinwardly of said side flanges and projecting outwardly from but ofsmaller length than said web portion, said flange elements also beingformed integrally with and projecting from said web portion in adirection opposite to said side flanges, the outer surfaces of saidflange elements being in abutting engagement with and lying flushagainst the inside surfaces of certain opposed wallboard units in saidfirst and second series of wallboard units.

6. A hollow wall structure as set forth in claim 5 wherein a flangeelement on the stud element is spaced inwardly from the nearest sideflange thereof by a distance substantially equal to the distance betweenthe inner surface of the wallboard unit anchored directly to the lastmentioned side flange of the stud through the medium of the rabbetgroove thereof and the outer surface of the rabbet groove of said lastmentioned wallboard unit.

7. In a hollow wall structure the combination of a floor runner; a firstseries of wallboard units disposed in side edge to side edge abutmentand in overlapping relationship with each other, and each of said unitsbeing provided with a rabbet groove; -a second series of wallboard unitsdisposed in side edge to side edge abutment and in overlappingrelationship with each other, said second series of units being locatedin opposed and spaced relationship to said first series of wallboardunits and each of the individual wallboard units of said second seriesof wallboard units also being provided with a rabbet groove; stud meansmounted on the floor runner and disposed between the first and secondseries of wallboard units and anchored to the individual wallboard unitsof each series of units for holding each series of wallboard units inopposed and spaced relationship to each other; said stud meanscomprising an elongated channel-shaped stud element provided with a webportion and means for anchoring said stud element to said units in saidfirst and second series of units, said anchoring means comprising a pairof parallel side flanges on said stud element which project insubstantially the same direction and are inserted in the rabbet groovesof certain opposed and spaced wallboard units in said first and secondseries of wallboard units so as to be interlocked therewith; and saidlast mentioned means further comprising at least one pair of parallelspaced flange elements projecting outwardly from and of smaller lengththan said web portion, said flange elements also be ing formedintegrally with and projecting from said web portion in a directionopposite to said side flanges, the outer surfaces of said flangeelements being in abutting engagement with the inside surfaces of otheropposed wallboard units in said first and second series of wallboardunits; and a channel-shaped fitting interposed between said floor runnerand said stud element, said fitting being locked both to the floorrunner and the flange elements of said stud element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,981,240 1'1/1934 McNeil 52-242X 2,078,620 4/1937 Venzie 52-481 X 2,256,394 9/1941 L-amel 52494 X2,851,740 9/ 1958 Baker -52-489 X 2,958,403 1 1/1960 Robertson 524953,125,193 3/1964 Brown 52-495 FOREIGN PATENTS 829,287 1960 GreatBritain.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner.

7. IN A HOLLOW WALL STRUCTURE THE COMBINATION OF A FLOOR RUNNER; A FIRSTSERIES OF WALLBOARD UNITS DISPOSED IN SIDE EDGE TO SAID EDGE ABUTMENTAND IN OVERLAPPING RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER, AND EACH OF SAID UNITSBEING PROVIDED WITH A RABBET GROOVE; A SECOND SERIES OF WALLBOARD UNITSDISPOSED IN SIDE EDGE TO SAID EDGE ABUTMENT AND IN OVERLAPPINGRELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OTHER, SAID SECOND SERIES OF UNITS BEING LOCATEDIN OPPOSED AND SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID FIRST SERIES OF WALLBOARDUNITS AND EACH OF THE INDIVIDUAL WALLBOARD UNITS OF SAID SECOND SERIESOF WALLBOARD UNITS ALSO BEING PROVIDED WITH A RABBET GROOVE; STUD MEANSMOUNTED ON THE FLOOR RUNNER AND DISPOSED BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECONDSERIES OF WALLBOARD UNITS AND ANCHORED TO THE INDIVIDUAL WALLBOARD UNITSOF EACH SERIES OF UNITS FOR HOLDING EACH SERIES OF WALLBOARD UNITS INOPPOSED AND SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER; SAID STUD MEANSCOMPRISING AN ELONGATED CHANNEL-SHAPED STUD ELEMENT PROVIDED WITH A WEBPORTION AND MEANS FOR ANCHORING SAID STUD ELEMENT TO SAID UNITS IN SAIDFIRST AND SECOND SERIES